Grenfell Tower fire investigation

Since the launch of the criminal investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire, the Met has been working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.

As the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (GTI) has progressed, both the police senior investigating officer and the CPS agree that the police investigation must take into account any findings or reports produced by the GTI, including its final report.

If the police investigation concludes there is sufficient evidence to consider criminal charges in relation to the fire, a file will be submitted to the CPS for its consideration.

The GTI has previously stated that it is unlikely phase 2 public hearings will begin before the end of 2019.

The publication of any final inquiry report will follow phase 2 hearings and so the Met’s assessment is that any file submission to the CPS is unlikely to be sooner than the latter part of 2021.

Detective Superintendent Matt Bonner, who leads the investigation into the fire, said: “We have always said our investigation will be thorough, exploring all reasonable lines of enquiry and examining all the available evidence.

“While the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the police investigation are independent of each other, our timelines are inextricably linked. For our investigation to be considered thorough and complete, it must consider all relevant information and it would be wrong not to take into account evidence given to the public inquiry and its final report and findings.

“We are in regular contact with the bereaved families and survivors as well as the wider community, and have informed them of our projected timeline for the investigation. I know this is longer than some might have anticipated, but the police must ensure all the available evidence is considered before any file is submitted to the CPS.”